Phillips knows how to build a defense

[THUMPER]

I was looking at the Chargers' defensive standings in the year before (2003) Phillips came there in 2004 and after and he definitely improved that defense:

Year---overall--rush--pass--points------sacks--turnovers
2003---27th---25th--15th--31st(27.6)---30-----28th(-11)
2004---18th----3rd--31st--11th(19.6)---29------3rd(+15)
2005---13th----1st--28th--13th(19.5)---46-----26th(-8)
2006---10th----7th--13th---7th(18.9)---61------3rd(+13)

I am not too concerned about the pass defense ranking as that is usually indicative of a good rush defense, which it is in this case, and the opponent having to play from behind a lot.

The dramatic turnaround in rush defense is what is most impressive to me as well as the increase in sacks and turnovers. These are the things that win games on defense.


The other area I wanted to look at was the defensive players that were there when Phillips got there and who he brought in and how...

There were only a couple of players that were on the team when Wade got there that are still on the team:

DE Jacques Cesaire, NT Jamal Williams, LILB Stephen Cooper, RILB Donnie Edwards (FA), ILB Matt Wilhelm, ROLB Carlos Polk, LCB Quentin Jammer, RCB Drayton Florence, SS Terrence Kiel.

That's only 9 out of the 25 players they have listed on their depth chart (there are more on the team but I'll work with this for now).

The others were brought in by Phillips:

LDE Louis Castillo, DE Derreck Robinson, NT Ryon Bingham, NT Brandon McKinney, RDE Igor Olshansky, LOLB Shaun Phillips, OLB Marques Harris, LILB Randall Godfrey (FA), ILB Tim Dobbins, ROLB Shawne Merriman, CB Steve Gregory, CB Antonio Cromartie, CB Cletus Gordon, FS Marlon McCree (FA), FS Bhawoh Jue (FA), SS Clinton Hart.

That's 16 that Phillips has brought in since he joined the team and only a few (3) were FAs, most were draft picks. They have a good mix of mostly young players with a sprinkling of experienced vets like Williams, Godfrey, Edwards, & McCree. They also have good depth that is mostly young players so they are in good shape for the future.

I really like what Phillips has done with the Chargers defense in his time there as they were pretty bad previously. He got guys like Jamal Williams to start playing up to their potential and brought in a nice mix of FAs to go along with solid draft picks.

I am hopeful that he can do the same here but I believe we are in vastly better shape than the Chargers were when he got there in 2004. A few players here and there and we should be set. I would love to see what he can get out of guys like Spears, Canty, Burnett, Watkins, etc. who have skills but seem to be lost or unmotivated out there.

It will also be exciting to see what Ware can do when he is used correctly, rushing the passer instead of covering a WR 25 yards downfield.

Anyway, just thought I would share some observations I made...

 

[superpunk]

Wade will put alot of pressure on our secondary. Those high pass numbers aren't JUST a product of good run D, they're a product of what is described as horrid safety play and JAmmer being a complete bust.

Now, I believe this is necessary - we've got alot of money back there, pile that pressure on, I think they can handle it. I'm just hoping Watkins shows marked improvement. Thanks for the research.

 

[theogt]

Low ranked pass defense is also indicative of a high scoring offense, which they certainly had.

 

[THUMPER]

Wade will put alot of pressure on our secondary. Those high pass numbers aren't JUST a product of good run D, they're a product of what is described as horrid safety play and JAmmer being a complete bust.

Now, I believe this is necessary - we've got alot of money back there, pile that pressure on, I think they can handle it. I'm just hoping Watkins shows marked improvement. Thanks for the research.

Our DBs got burnt anyway so why not at least make the QB get rid of the ball quicker. We were 24th against the pass while SD was 13th.

 

[fanfromvirginia]

I was looking at the Chargers' defensive standings in the year before (2003) Phillips came there in 2004 and after and he definitely improved that defense:

Year---overall--rush--pass--points------sacks--turnovers
2003---27th---25th--15th--31st(27.6)---30-----28th(-11)
2004---18th----3rd--31st--11th(19.6)---29------3rd(+15)
2005---13th----1st--28th--13th(19.5)---46-----26th(-8)
2006---10th----7th--13th---7th(18.9)---61------3rd(+13)

I am not too concerned about the pass defense ranking as that is usually indicative of a good rush defense, which it is in this case, and the opponent having to play from behind a lot.

The dramatic turnaround in rush defense is what is most impressive to me as well as the increase in sacks and turnovers. These are the things that win games on defense.


The other area I wanted to look at was the defensive players that were there when Phillips got there and who he brought in and how...

There were only a couple of players that were on the team when Wade got there that are still on the team:

DE Jacques Cesaire, NT Jamal Williams, LILB Stephen Cooper, RILB Donnie Edwards (FA), ILB Matt Wilhelm, ROLB Carlos Polk, LCB Quentin Jammer, RCB Drayton Florence, SS Terrence Kiel.

That's only 9 out of the 25 players they have listed on their depth chart (there are more on the team but I'll work with this for now).

The others were brought in by Phillips:

LDE Louis Castillo, DE Derreck Robinson, NT Ryon Bingham, NT Brandon McKinney, RDE Igor Olshansky, LOLB Shaun Phillips, OLB Marques Harris, LILB Randall Godfrey (FA), ILB Tim Dobbins, ROLB Shawne Merriman, CB Steve Gregory, CB Antonio Cromartie, CB Cletus Gordon, FS Marlon McCree (FA), FS Bhawoh Jue (FA), SS Clinton Hart.

That's 16 that Phillips has brought in since he joined the team and only a few (3) were FAs, most were draft picks. They have a good mix of mostly young players with a sprinkling of experienced vets like Williams, Godfrey, Edwards, & McCree. They also have good depth that is mostly young players so they are in good shape for the future.

I really like what Phillips has done with the Chargers defense in his time there as they were pretty bad previously. He got guys like Jamal Williams to start playing up to their potential and brought in a nice mix of FAs to go along with solid draft picks.

I am hopeful that he can do the same here but I believe we are in vastly better shape than the Chargers were when he got there in 2004. A few players here and there and we should be set. I would love to see what he can get out of guys like Spears, Canty, Burnett, Watkins, etc. who have skills but seem to be lost or unmotivated out there.

It will also be exciting to see what Ware can do when he is used correctly, rushing the passer instead of covering a WR 25 yards downfield.

Anyway, just thought I would share some observations I made...

Here's that thread you mentioned. Yep, this is indeed good news.